Do you enjoy treating yourself to handmade non-vegetarian treats? The thrill and satisfaction of making these meals from scratch are distinct. They not only taste fantastic, but the knowledge that you used fresh ingredients and meat raises your level of satisfaction even higher. You may have observed, though, that the scent of non-vegetarian food can linger for quite a while and even seep into other utensils or dishes. This can be annoying, especially if you have family members who are vegetarians and prefer not to use the same cutlery.
If you're looking for practical ways to get rid of unpleasant odours, we have some simple recommendations for you. From using vinegar and lemon to coffee powder, baking soda, and gram flour (besan), these 5 tips will ensure your utensils are fresh, clean, and free from any lingering meat odours.
Use Vinegar
Using vinegar on utensils can be an effective way to eliminate meat odour. Vinegar, specifically white distilled vinegar, has natural deodorising properties that can neutralise strong smells. When applied to utensils, vinegar helps break down and eliminate the compounds responsible for the meat odour. To use vinegar for odour removal, start by rinsing the utensils with warm water to remove any food residue.
Then, fill a basin or sink with a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar. Submerge the utensils in the vinegar solution and let them soak for at least 15–30 minutes, or longer if the odour is particularly strong. After soaking, thoroughly rinse the utensils with clean water and wash them with dish soap as usual. The vinegar odour will dissipate during rinsing, leaving your utensils fresh and odour-free.
Use Lemon And Water
Using lemon and water is a great way to get rid of meat odour from utensils. Lemons have natural deodorising properties and a refreshing citrus scent that helps neutralise strong odours. The acidity in lemon juice helps break down the compounds responsible for the meat odour, leaving your utensils smelling fresh and clean. To use lemon and water for odour removal, start by rinsing the utensils with warm water to remove any food residue. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a basin or sink filled with warm water. Alternatively, you can also dilute lemon juice with water in a spray bottle.
Submerge the utensils in the lemon and water solution or spray the mixture onto the utensils, making sure to coat them thoroughly. Let the lemon and water solution sit on the utensils for about 10–15 minutes to allow the acidity to work its magic on the odour-causing compounds.
After the soaking or spraying, rinse the utensils thoroughly with clean water and wash them with dish soap as usual. The lemon scent will linger, leaving your utensils smelling fresh and eliminating any lingering meat odour.
Use Coffee Powder
Using coffee powder is a surprising yet effective method to get rid of meat odour from utensils. Coffee contains natural properties that can absorb and neutralise strong odours, including the lingering smell of meat. It works as a natural deodorizer, leaving your utensils fresh and odour-free. The presence of nitrogen in coffee contributes to its ability to eliminate odours, including the smell of meat.
To use coffee powder for odour removal, start by rinsing the utensils with warm water to remove any food residue. Take a small amount of coffee powder, preferably freshly ground, and sprinkle it generously on the affected utensils. Ensure that the powder covers the entire surface area where the odour is present.
Allow the coffee powder to sit on the utensils for a significant amount of time, ideally for a few hours or overnight. During this time, the coffee powder will absorb the meat odour, effectively neutralising it. The porous nature of coffee grounds allows them to attract and trap odour molecules, leaving the utensils fresh and odour-free. After the coffee powder has had enough time to work, rinse the utensils thoroughly with clean water to remove the grounds. You can then proceed to wash the utensils with dish soap, as usual, to ensure they are clean and ready for use.
Use Baking Soda With Water
Using a mix of baking soda and water is an excellent and widely used method to eliminate meat odour from utensils. To utilise baking soda for odour removal, create a paste by mixing equal parts baking soda and water in a bowl. Stir well until a smooth and consistent paste is formed. Then, apply the paste to the utensils, ensuring that the areas with meat odour are covered.
Allow the baking soda paste to sit on the utensils for approximately 15–30 minutes. During this time, the baking soda will absorb the odour-causing compounds and neutralise them. This process effectively eliminates the unwanted meat odour from the utensils.
Baking soda is a safe and gentle option for removing odours, making it suitable for various types of utensils. It is also environmentally friendly and readily available in most households. Additionally, baking soda can be used on a variety of kitchen surfaces, including cutting boards, knives, and pans, making it a versatile solution for eliminating meat odour from your cooking tools.
Use Besan
Gram flour, commonly known as besan, is an incredible ally when it comes to eliminating stubborn meat odours from utensils.
To harness the odour-fighting power of gram flour, begin by creating a paste by mixing an appropriate amount of besan with water. The consistency should be thick enough to stick to the utensils. Apply the paste generously to the affected areas of the utensils, ensuring that every nook and cranny is covered.
Now, here's where the magic happens. Allow the gram flour paste to work its magic by letting it sit on the utensils for a significant period of time. The fine particles of besan will absorb the unwanted meat odour, effectively neutralising it and leaving your utensils smelling fresh and clean. Gram flour not only eliminates odours but also leaves a gentle and smooth touch on the utensils, making them look and feel refreshed.